IELTS Writing Task 2: Climate Change’s Impact on the Hospitality Industry – Sample Essays and Analysis

Climate change is a pressing global issue that affects various sectors, including the hospitality industry. This topic has become increasingly relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, reflecting its importance in contemporary discourse. Based on recent trends, it’s likely that questions related to climate change and its impact on specific industries will continue to appear in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a sample question and provide model essays to help you prepare for this topic.

Climate change impact on hospitality

Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Let’s consider the following question, which is representative of the type you might encounter in an IELTS exam:

Climate change is having a significant impact on the hospitality industry. What are some of the ways in which climate change affects hotels and restaurants, and what measures can these businesses take to adapt to these changes?

Question Analysis

This question consists of two parts:

1. Identify the impacts of climate change on the hospitality industry, specifically hotels and restaurants.
2. Suggest measures these businesses can take to adapt to the changes.

To answer this question effectively, you need to:

• Provide specific examples of how climate change affects hotels and restaurants.
• Offer concrete and practical solutions for adaptation.
• Maintain a balanced approach, discussing both impacts and solutions.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Climate change is undeniably reshaping various sectors of the global economy, and the hospitality industry is no exception. This essay will explore the multifaceted impacts of climate change on hotels and restaurants and propose adaptive strategies these businesses can implement.

One of the most significant ways climate change affects the hospitality industry is through extreme weather events. Increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, floods, and heatwaves can lead to property damage, disruption of services, and safety concerns for guests. For instance, coastal resorts may face the threat of rising sea levels and storm surges, while mountain hotels might grapple with reduced snowfall, impacting winter tourism. Moreover, changing weather patterns can alter the seasonality of tourism, affecting occupancy rates and revenue streams.

Another crucial impact is the strain on resources, particularly water and energy. As temperatures rise, hotels and restaurants face higher cooling costs and increased water demand for landscaping and guest use. In regions experiencing drought, water scarcity can pose significant operational challenges, potentially leading to service limitations or even temporary closures.

To adapt to these changes, hospitality businesses can implement several measures. Firstly, investing in resilient infrastructure is crucial. This could involve elevating structures in flood-prone areas, improving insulation for energy efficiency, and installing water-saving technologies. Secondly, diversifying offerings can help mitigate seasonal fluctuations. For example, ski resorts could develop summer activities to attract year-round visitors.

Furthermore, adopting sustainable practices not only helps businesses adapt but also contributes to mitigating climate change. This could include sourcing local, seasonal ingredients for restaurants to reduce carbon footprint, implementing comprehensive recycling programs, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Such initiatives not only reduce operational costs in the long run but also appeal to the growing segment of environmentally conscious travelers.

In conclusion, while climate change poses significant challenges to the hospitality industry, it also presents opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth. By proactively adapting their infrastructure, diversifying their offerings, and embracing sustainability, hotels and restaurants can build resilience against climate impacts while potentially gaining a competitive edge in an increasingly eco-aware market.

(Word count: 329)

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

Climate change is having a big impact on many industries, including hotels and restaurants. This essay will discuss how climate change affects these businesses and what they can do to adapt.

One way climate change affects hotels and restaurants is through extreme weather. More frequent storms and floods can damage buildings and make it hard for guests to visit. For example, beach hotels might have problems with rising sea levels, and ski resorts might get less snow. This can mean fewer customers and less money for these businesses.

Another problem is that climate change can make it harder to get important resources like water and energy. When it’s hotter, hotels need more electricity for air conditioning, which costs more money. In some places, there might not be enough water for hotels to use for things like swimming pools or watering gardens.

To deal with these problems, hotels and restaurants can do several things. First, they can make their buildings stronger to handle bad weather. This might mean building higher walls to stop flooding or using better materials that don’t get damaged easily. They can also try to save water and energy by using special equipment that doesn’t waste these resources.

Another good idea is for these businesses to offer different types of services. For example, a beach hotel could start offering indoor activities for when the weather is bad. Restaurants could change their menus to use food that is easier to get when the climate changes.

Hotels and restaurants can also try to be more environmentally friendly. This could mean using solar panels for electricity or buying food from local farms to reduce transportation. These changes can help save money and also make customers who care about the environment happy.

In conclusion, climate change is a big challenge for hotels and restaurants, but there are ways they can adapt. By making their buildings stronger, offering different services, and being more environmentally friendly, these businesses can continue to be successful even as the climate changes.

(Word count: 310)

Key Points to Remember When Writing

1. Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing impacts and solutions, and a conclusion. The Band 8-9 essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced exploration of the topic.

2. Vocabulary: The Band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and industry-specific terms, while the Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language. For example:

   • Band 8-9: “multifaceted impacts”, “resilient infrastructure”, “mitigating climate change”
   • Band 6-7: “big impact”, “make buildings stronger”, “be more environmentally friendly”

3. Grammar: The higher band essay demonstrates a wider range of complex structures, while the lower band essay uses simpler sentence structures. For instance:

   • Band 8-9: “By proactively adapting their infrastructure, diversifying their offerings, and embracing sustainability, hotels and restaurants can build resilience against climate impacts…”
   • Band 6-7: “Hotels and restaurants can also try to be more environmentally friendly. This could mean using solar panels for electricity or buying food from local farms…”

4. Detail and Examples: Both essays provide examples, but the Band 8-9 essay offers more specific and varied examples, demonstrating a deeper understanding of the topic.

5. Coherence and Cohesion: The Band 8-9 essay shows better use of linking words and phrases to connect ideas, while the Band 6-7 essay uses simpler transitions.

Important Vocabulary to Remember

1. Resilience (noun) /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – The ability to recover quickly from difficulties
2. Mitigation (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈgeɪʃn/ – The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something
3. Sustainability (noun) /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level
4. Diversification (noun) /daɪˌvɜːrsɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ – The action of making or becoming more diverse or varied
5. Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ – The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
6. Seasonality (noun) /ˌsiːzəˈnæləti/ – The characteristic of a time series in which the data experiences regular and predictable changes that recur every calendar year
7. Adaptation (noun) /ˌædæpˈteɪʃn/ – The process of changing to suit different conditions
8. Carbon footprint (noun) /ˈkɑːrbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community

In conclusion, climate change’s impact on the hospitality industry is a relevant and important topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the key issues and developing a range of vocabulary and examples, you can prepare effectively for questions on this theme. Remember to practice writing essays on similar topics, such as the impact of climate change on other industries or general environmental issues in the context of business. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and further discussion!